The Power of Community and the Vision of a ‘Proud Czechia’
16 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
Was there a moment in your business career that
you remember as truly groundbreaking—something
that taught you an important lesson or changed your
perspective?
Without a doubt, it was the crises I went through—
whether personal, business-related, or just being
human. The change in my outlook lies in realising
that one doesn’t have to be constantly agitated. What
matters is to persevere with calm strength. Each day,
you simply need to get up, do what is important, give
thanks at the end of the day, go to sleep, and start again
in the morning. That calm inner strength I discovered
within myself has become the main part of my personal
transformation.
Your Helas platform brings together a strong
community of entrepreneurs. What do you see
as its greatest contribution?
I believe that in the Czech Republic, we don’t know how
to praise ourselves—we rarely praise not only ourselves
but also others. And I think we still struggle to truly
collaborate with one another. That is precisely where
I see the added value of the projects I lead and have
founded— throughout all these years, we have never
strayed away from this mission.
In 2024, you and the Helas Agency were invited
to join the project to restore and manage
the Minorite Monastery in Prague.
What led you to this?
I have been connected with the Minorite monastery
since early childhood. I remember that from around
the age of fourteen I went there every Sunday for
the solemn sung Masses at the Basilica of St James.
I told my parents I was going for a walk, but I was really
heading to St James. Later I began singing myself,
and one of the semi-professional choirs I joined was
Miriam Němcová’s Vox Prague, whose rehearsals
took place in the John of Luxembourg Hall—which
at the time was very run-down. The parquet floors had
blackened, the frescoes were almost invisible. The only
clearly visible detail was a white banner on one
of them. That place stayed in my heart. Many times
I also sang up in the choir loft by the unique St James’s
organ. And it is remarkable that, in adulthood, fate
brought me back to the monastery, where I have begun
to develop part of my mission and business.
You present the project as a link between culture,
business and public events. How difficult is it
to bring these three worlds under one roof?
It feels natural to me, and I think all the activities
fit together. I’ve always had plenty of ideas—and
the ability to make them happen. So everything I came
up with I really did bring to life in one form or another.
Thanks to that, I now have experience and knowledge
across many areas. Within the Podnikatelská platforma
Helas we recognise Czech businesswomen, leaders
and exporters, and our motto is “We are building
a proud Czechia.” This concept suits the unique
setting of the Minorite Monastery in Prague perfectly.
The place has an incredible history and, with its
energy and exceptional story, gives all our activities
an added dimension. For the first time in 800 years
it is open to the public and, besides being the home
of the Podnikatelská platforma Helas, we have
quickly prepared educational guided tours; there
are workshops for children and adults; as part of the
Minorite Cultural Festival we hold concerts, exhibitions
and social events; and we even have our own product
line inspired by the local Angel Garden — Hortus
Angelicus.
How would you describe your leadership style?
In what ways have you changed as a leader over
the years? And what situation has been your greatest
lesson from which you have learned the most?
About two years ago, I had a conversation with Mr Pavel
Vosoba, an outstanding coach, writer and innovator,
about the vision of new leadership within companies.
He has been dedicated to this topic for forty years,
and he says that the best teams are capable of leading
themselves. And I must say, I very, very much agree
with that. It is true that when I took on the project
of restoring the Minorite Monastery in Prague—
probably the biggest project of my life—I realised that
sometimes it is necessary to observe things carefully
and then make decisions that no one else can make for
you. It is important to keep in mind a vision that is not
about what will happen next week or next month,
but about what will happen in six months, in a year,
or even in five to ten years.
Thank you for the interview.
Helena Kohoutová is a visionary who, since the 1990s,
has been bringing her ideas to life through her own
projects united under the Helas Business Plaorm –
including the Helas Ladies Club and the compeons
Czech Businesswoman of the Year, Czech Leaders
Award, and Czech Exporters Award – all sharing
the moo “Building a Proud Czechia.” She is also
a muldisciplinary arst and the author of the concept
for a centre of culture, educaon and business located
within the unique premises of the Minorite Monastery
in Prague, which her agency manages.
Each day, you simply need to get up,
do what is important, give thanks
at the end of the day, go to sleep,
and start again in the morning.